Robbinsville – Bonnie Jean Price has been pitching the idea of re-establishing a horse-riding arena in Graham County for the newly formed non-profit saddle club for which she is the spokesman.
She’s received positive feedback from local officials and others around the community, but nothing like the traction she gained during her appearance before the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 18.
Price read off the benefits of a riding arena from a list of talking points that has found followers whenever she makes an appearance, but Graham County commissioners went one, maybe two steps further than simply supporting the idea.
The Board of Commissioners established a committee to find a path forward, with Commissioner Jacob Nelms at the helm. Perhaps even better, the county is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $950,000 from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund to spur economic growth – exactly the kind of funding source that could pay for such a venue.
Price said Graham County horse riders have to travel to Bryson City, Franklin, and even Tennessee and Georgia to find arena venues. An arena in Graham County would not only serve Graham County residents, but attract horse enthusiasts from throughout the region, she said.
A horse arena would support a healthy, wholesome family activity, she said. It could also help supplement search and rescue efforts and serve as a fairground for the county.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Nelms said.
“We should do anything and everything we can to make it a reality,” added Commissioner Dale Wiggins, who is also chairman of the Graham County Travel & Tourism Board of Directors.
Backed by nearly 30 supporters at the Oct. 18 board meeting, Price said she was inspired by the rodeo put on by Graham County horseman Chase Lancaster, which drew about 1,500 spectators to a makeshift rodeo arena behind the county solid waste facility off Snowbird Road in Robbinsville from Sept. 9-10.
That venue was within a lasso throw of where an arena existed several decades ago on property now owned by Herve Cody Contractor LLC. The property wraps around the old Stanley Furniture Plant. Dirk Cody, an owner of the company, said he is eager to work with the county, which already leases part of the property for a ball field, so a precedent has been set where the county could lease the other end of the property for an arena.
Other news and notes
* Arts Center: The Board of Commissioners is considering granting a request for $10,000 to pay renovation costs to the old gymnasium building at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. Constructed in the 1950s, part of the building has been converted to a community kitchen. The remainder is awaiting renovation, including the roof. Executive Director Jennifer West asked for $10,000 for rock work to be cleaned and sealed.
* County roads: The board passed a resolution asking the state to co-name East Main Street as Veterans Hill. Board Chairman Connie Orr, who normally entertains motions from the board, instead made the motion herself. Orr is an advocate for local veterans.
The board plans to make a resolution in support of closing one end of Deyton Camp Road off of Massey Branch Road. The closure would block the west end of the loop road. The four property owners along the road support the closure.
* Narcotics cars: The Graham County Sheriff’s Office requested a nod of approval from the board for the purchase of two unmarked vehicles to be used by narcotics agents. Purchase of two lightly-used vehicles would be fully funded by drug asset seizures. The Sheriff’s Office has about $24,000 in that fund, with upcoming asset seizures expected to see that account skyrocket as much as ten times. Commissioner Keith Eller suggested that the Sheriff’s Office postpone the purchase until a new sheriff is elected in November. Sheriff Jerry Crisp lost his reelection bid in the primary.
Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Knight was disappointed by the response.
“You can send a letter to drug dealers to wait until the election,” he said.
Commissioner Wiggins suggested that the two candidates for sheriff in the November election – Russell Moody and Brad Hoxit – be asked to write letters of support.
The issue is somewhat moot, since the Board of Commissioners’ next meeting comes after the November elections.
* Justice Center: Dave Artiss is offering an alternative to plans that would move the Graham County Courthouse to West Fort Hill Road. Artiss owns Mountain Manor Motel and several land parcels between the existing courthouse and Ford Street.
He offered to sell the county the land to make room for a courthouse annex.
“I have this property up for sale,” he told the board. “I am getting a little old to run it.”
The board took his offer under advisement.